Brad Keselowski is determined to compete in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) despite recovering from a broken right leg. The event will be broadcast at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, HBO Max, PRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, with Keselowski aiming to continue his strong season performance despite injury challenges.
Previous Races Show Keselowski’s Resilience
After fracturing his femur in December, Keselowski successfully completed the opening two races of the season at Daytona International Speedway and EchoPark Speedway, both of which feature drafting-style oval tracks. However, the COTA race, held on a demanding 2.4-mile road course, presents a greater physical challenge. To prepare for this, RFK Racing has the experienced sports-car driver Joey Hand on standby to replace Keselowski if necessary.
Joey Hand’s Experience Provides Crucial Support
Joey Hand, who has started eight NASCAR Cup Series races including a prior appearance on COTA’s full-length circuit in 2022, brings significant road racing expertise. His standout performance came at the 2024 Chicago Street Course where he led seven laps in the No. 60 RFK Racing car and secured a fourth-place finish on a wet track. Beyond NASCAR, Hand boasts major victories at prestigious motorsport events such as the 2011 Rolex 24 at Daytona, the 2012 12 Hours of Sebring, and a class win at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Keselowski’s Confidence in Hand and His Own Preparation
Brad praised Hand’s presence on the team before a recent race at EchoPark Speedway, saying,
“He’s the Ford reserve driver for all the road courses. He’s won all the big races that you can win across the globe. A great guy, too, and he’s been very helpful.” – Brad Keselowski, NASCAR Driver
Leading up to COTA, Keselowski underwent thorough medical and physical evaluations to ensure he could handle the demanding race environment despite his injury. Currently ninth in the points standings, Keselowski trails series leader Tyler Reddick by 64 points, making each race critical for his championship hopes.
Implications for the Season and Next Steps
Brad Keselowski’s commitment to race at COTA underlines his determination to stay competitive in the NASCAR Cup Series despite physical setbacks. With Joey Hand ready to step in if needed, RFK Racing is well-positioned to maintain a strong presence on this challenging road course. As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see how Keselowski performs and whether he can close the gap on leaders like Tyler Reddick in the points standings.
Results after the last few days of simulator, go karting and X-Rays say—-> https://t.co/TgCP4YOOFt pic.twitter.com/TRcYJtkANo
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) February 27, 2026
